Chapter Eleven:
Frowning Clowns
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Warning!
Massive spoilers below
if you have not read the Black Butler manga vol. 6 and above!
Also, VERY long! 25 pages!
Beta Reader:
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Happy Valentine's Day!
"What fun, what fun, this circus is great!
You can see it in our rotting faces, melting eyes, and festering skin!"
-Vocaloid, Kurai Mori no Saakas/Circus in the Dark Woods
Of the damned and devious, this place is the damnest of all. Shippou mused, as his lady routinely performed blessings around the traveling carnival. Lady Kagome Higurashi was merely trying to ward away any spirits that may cause harm. She may not seem like much, but it was a part of her job to see to protecting the innocent. Those who are not innocent on the other hand, there isn't much the young exorcist could do if the lingering spirits are angry enough.
Despite her attempts, they both can see the stubborn lights of the dead lurking around the corners of the nearby tents. Oddly enough, the spirits never once showed themselves to either Kagome or Shippou, preferring pulling some 'harmless' tricks on them instead. There was an incident that rubbed the butler the wrong way, just mere moments ago.
They were visiting the ringleader's main tent, to check out the witnesses' report of a glaring orb. Said orb oftentimes hurled rocks at Joker, the animal tamer (the tamer called herself Beast), and several others and pulled childish pranks on several random passerby. A young knife thrower (Dagger) had been injured from one such incident. This prompted Joker to ask for the exorcist and her butler's help. Joker feared that there would be more injuries and possibly even death. He felt that now that the orb, or 'some silly ghostie' as more skeptic performers called them, were excited by causing harm that it may do more with force.
Kagome, with permission, entered the tent to scan around but sensed only the shadows that wander. None were even strong enough to even show fully to her sight, let alone even picking up some stones. Shippou followed after and was startled by a giggle, "Did you hear that, Miss?"
Kagome nodded, "That I do. But I don't see them…" If for any reason she cannot see a thing of supernatural, then the spirit may be smart enough to resist showing to her.
Something flashed.
She cried out, a thin line of red dribbling out of a side of her face. Shippou, on defensive, hissed, eying the stone that struck within a wooden bedpost, "Milady, are you alright?" A hot rage bubbled within but for her sake, he withheld it.
"I'm fine. Just surprised me is all." Kagome winced when Shippou dibbed away the dewing blood with a handkerchief he pulled out from a pocket, "I didn't expect any sudden attacks." She stated, nearly protested when the man kept on the white cloth. The exorcist knew better, she can see the silent anger behind his eyes. She had no choice but to let him to care for her, however minor, wound.
Satisfied with the stopped bleeding, the butler frowned, "If the spirit attacks without any provocation then this may be very dangerous, Lady Kagome…" He stuffed the stained fabric into a pocket, neatly.
Kagome shook her head, "I'll be fine, Shippou." With a sigh held back from fleeing her lips, she glanced at the stone within the wood, "We got something at very least."
The lady was correct- their first finding was o8f a spirit strong in wrath to hide itself. And attack without a single provocation too. Joker indeed had something to worry over and the butler could not fault him for that.
Even now though, as Shippou stared the healing red line that was marring his lady exorcist's fine cheek, that doesn't soothe his wish to take Kagome away to keep her from harm. Whoever that brought the pain to my dear lady…I shall destroy them utterly. He vowed silently.
He paused, stilling his feet, as the girl stopped before the entrance of the circus, the sky seemed sleepy with its pale color and the waking sun, "I believed I've blessed the entire area," Kagome wasn't pleased, "yet I can still hear them."
The butler crossed his arms in thought, "Perhaps the spirit, spirits, may not be cruel in nature then?"
He saw her giving a small nod, her lips deepened in a frown, "If that was a case then I'm afraid that there is nothing more I can do but to communicate." The dark-haired child looked up to him, "How can I do so if the spirit has no desire to show itself or speak with me?"
This is quite a dilemma, he agreed.
Laughter reached his ears and he turned his head to see where the noises were from while his lady was brooding. Unnoticed, he had a cruel, entertained smile on his face, "Well, it seemed like the earl dog and the devil tike from yesterday were already pertaining to the circus. Perhaps they can help?" The girl blinked and Shippou snickered as he tipped his head to a practicing performance some distance away. There was a familiar boy struggling to succeed under eyes of expert entertainers.
Kagome's face turned curious and she glanced at him again in confusion.
"Should we greet them?" Shippou still snickered. Seeing this scene considerably lightened his spirit after his lady's injury.
"Hey, why is he there?" Lilith spoke aloud, saying the very same question the lady was thinking.
Shippou, still grinning, suggested, "Let's ask."
Kagome gave a small frown but allowed herself to be escorted to the area.
The redhead performer crackled in amusement, unaware of the duo behind him. He was watching the newest addition struggling to hit the target with a dagger. The boy was doing very poorly, having his daggers hitting the dirt rather than on a painted bulls-eye target, "Hehehe, well, maybe ye would appreciate some demonstration, ja?" His bone hand rattled, as Joker boldly stated. "One more dagger in th' dirt mean ye fail, ye know!"
The one-eyed boy almost glared but nodded, "Fine, I supposed I can use some assistance." There was a tiniest hint of stress on his statement, his eye landing on the chuckling gentleman in black. He stepped back and the blond man was about to draw out a knife. A hand, as of which Ciel recognized to be belonging to the butler of the lady exorcist, stopped the blond.
Inwardly Ciel panicked, not wanting them to blow his cover. He came to the circus trope, as Finny, a poor servant in need to move on from his last employer. He couldn't come as who he truly was, an rich earl-it'd be suspicious right off the bat if he did. Joker easily accepted his identity, though he did have to have to pass a few tests to show his abilities to become an entertainer/employee of Noah's Ark. Throwing the knife into the bulls-eye was his first test and so far he wasn't having a good start.
"Eh?" The tall blond, Dagger, blinked. Briefly and absently, he hid behind a hand behind his back, where he wore a red-stained white bandage.
Shippou smiled, "Do you mind if milady shows instead? She is rather impeccable with aim, I'll have you know!" He never once made an eye contact with Ciel.
The boy's panic vanished instantly and confusion occurred. His eye moved to the girl and blinked.
Kagome seemed to have paled, her skin almost very white.
"Ah, mister Fox, she is bitsy small! How can she show?" Joker, not even surprised by their presences like everyone else had, frowned. His face then lit up in thought, "But okay! She can have a throw!"
Dagger was sputtering in protest but resigned under a look from the ringleader, and he handed over a knife, handle first, to the uncertain girl. The shapely woman glared at both the knife thrower and the ringleader for even allowing this in the first place.
"Don't get mad at me, sissy!" Dagger wailed, launching himself on the tamer, only to have her sidestep him and land onto the ground face first instead. No one paid any attention to him but instead to the paling exorcist.
"Ja! Come on 'ow! Show Finny how ye throw!" Joker cheerily encouraged, clapping his mismatched hands. With his expression he wore on his face, he could easily be mistaken to be the green-eyed butler's younger sibling.
"You can do it, Lady Kagome." Shippou grinned, a knowing look gleaned from his eyes.
Ciel kept his mouth shut, but had an eerie feeling of something akin to a murdering intention radiating from the tiny slip of a girl child. He nonetheless watched.
A sudden flung of an arm, the wrist was loose and relaxed without any direct concentration. It felt like it was in slow motion, where the earl in disguise saw every inch of that movement.
Thunk!
Kagome had her eyes down.
There was a still, pregnant silence.
It held for two long minutes.
Shippou laughed, clapping, shattering the silence, "What did I tell you? Milady's impeccable with aim!" He was correct. There, smacked right in the middle, was the knife perfectly in the bulls-eye.
Joker blinked, very shocked, "Uh…wow, um…" He was speechless, rubbing his head.
Dagger was already complaining, "Must be a beginner's luck!" Already he handed another knife to Kagome, "Try again, will ya?!" He was visibly annoyed, having someone upping him.
Kagome merely stared, before turned to Shippou and blinked. She then twisted to the boyish man again, accepting the weapon. For a brief second, the boy earl saw her glancing at him through her ink-black bang, before her eyes went elsewhere, unfocused. Without even facing the target a few feet away, she flung it again. Dagger was about to grin at this lack of care…
Thunk!
His lips dropped into a frown, his head turning to the target.
There was the second knife, making a very comfortable close neighbor to the first in the bulls-eye. Kagome patted down her skirt, mindful of her Cats in her coat pockets, before taking her place next to her butler. The man was glowing with pride of his mistress' accomplishment.
"Well, now!" Joker was impressed, letting out a whistle, "Finny, think you can do it?" He glanced at the shell-shocked boy, "Just gotta get on the target-doesn't have to be perfect, ya k'ow!"
Ciel blinked out of his stupor and nodded, "I'll try again." I think…Kagome was showing me how. He caught her sneaking small glances at him, as if challenging him, Relax your wrist and don't think about the target…He accepted a dagger that was once laid abandoned off the ground somewhere and prepared himself, taking his position. Just don't think about it. He flung without a second thought.
Thunk!
There was that sound! He glanced at the target, eager to see how he had done.
It wasn't a very good hit, but it was in the target nonetheless, at the edge of outer red ring. I…got it in! Then Ciel instantly got annoyed with himself, I needed to be in the bulls-eye!
"Ah, ah guess the bitsy lady was a good teacher after all!" Joker clapped, "Think you can try again?"
"Yes." He said it without a thought. Dagger's dotted face had a flash of annoyance as he handed the boy yet another knife.
Ciel took his position again and flung.
There, it was much closer to the bulls-eye. Only in the inner ring of red this time.
"Third time is the charm!" Joker cheered, absently forcing his entertainers to clap in encouragement.
Another knife, third time. The earl took in a deep breath and took a brief moment to ready himself.
Thunk!
And he glowed in arrogant accomplishment. It wasn't perfect, but it's much closer now, right on the edge of the red bulls-eye. It'll have to do.
"Hahah! Ye passed this test then!" The ringleader grinned, "There's a couple 'ore tests next, but ye c'n take a break now. Ye deserve it!" Joker smiled, "Dagger will lead ya two to a tent to have a drink and a snack there."
Dagger grumbled, but he couldn't refuse the erratic man, "Come on ya two." He led them away.
Hmp! I don't need Sebastian after all! Ciel glanced at Sebastian and swore he saw a flash of disappointment through his angular face. Asshole.
He pushed aside the childish thinking and wondered, Did they find anything? Ciel turned back and saw Joker and Beast speaking with the duo. Both entertainers had a look of concern on their faces. Shippou was no longer jolly, as he went to explain whatever the situation there was.
Well, I'll find some time to ask them later-with luck, they'll have clues to the missing children. The earl hummed to himself, 'that is if I can convince them to tell me.'
The butler chuckled almost ruefully, "You may not know it but Lady Higurashi foresaw a thread of fate from you to here. The answers you are seeking will only lead you to more questions and we are not obligated to answer. Should we answer, danger will occur sooner than later." He smiled gently, "And I refuse to let her to do so." There was a glint of threat through his friendly eyes.
Ciel sighed, With that look he had, I doubt I could get anything out of them. Dagger was streaming of being upped by a little girl and he could hear the blond complaining under his breath, Although…I could have sworn Lady Higurashi looked as if she really wanted to tell me something, but, In his mind's eye, Mr. Reynard reminded him like an overprotective guard dog now, that man wouldn't let her.
The memory flashed brightly in his head.
Kagome stared at him, frustration swimming through her eyes while her expression and body language gave away nothing. Ciel realized he was getting better at reading the quiet girl, but only so slightly. Observation was his favored suit, after all. Mr. Reynard on the other hand never gave her an chance to even give the slightest of a telling twitch, as he threatened the Queen's Watchdog.
It eroded away back to the present.
Sebastian had made a comment regarding the duo, but the earl ignored him in favor of his own thought, Just how is his bite to his bark? He gave a smallest of frown, Probably harder than the bark, but that man also seemed as if he was in a tight leash now that I think of it.
The knife thrower stopped before a comfortable looking tent and said something that Ciel missed as he was too focused on his thought.
If I plan this carefully, I just might be able to avoid that bite after all. He plotted as he was led into the tent.
THELOVELESS
This was humiliating. And painful. Ciel added, when he tried to not allow the height to get to him. His mind was already dizzy from trying to balance himself, on a thin lifeline of a rope tautly held high in the air. A tightrope.
He had been led into a striped tent, and were insisted to try and walking on the rope above. Ciel didn't have much say in it, when he was dragged up the ladder.
Walking on a tightrope was his next test, and it was a very painful one.
Oh, not only his feet, where the wire were digging into through the sole of the flexible shoes he was provided, but Sebastian found a way to finally entertain himself.
"Ack-" He gasped-losing his grace, when a stone rudely stabbed itself into a shoulder to right his position. Ciel bit into his tongue to keep in the cry, focusing on making it to the goal. His feet wobbled, arms flaying, and another stone flicked deeply into his skin to set back his feet. He winced once more. Damn you to hell, Sebastian! Damn you! You will pay for this! Ciel vowed with venom.
Whenever Ciel was losing his balance, the bastard butler flicked a small stone to his back (both upper and lower) to regain the balance on the rope. This repeated too many times, until Ciel finished the entire way at last.
It felt too long, almost like an eternity for him to reach his goal. And endless pain. The earl in disguise added once more, as he rubbed his back. The boy ignored the cheer from the watchers (including Sebastian the Bastard) below, as he perched on an end deck. They all thought he was catching his breath, which was true. Ciel was also rubbing his wounds, pretending it was his back being too tense from balancing on the rope.
Joker and Dagger gave him a brief moment to gather himself, as they discussed quietly together with a girl in white (she was the one that helped Ciel up to the tightrope in the first place and gave him a demonstration beforehand). The big grins were like brilliant light bulbs on their faces. The boy though could tell it was in attempts to forget whatever they discussed with the lady exorcist's butler.
Whatever it was, it wasn't good. Their faces were telling of their grievance. However he need to wait, without being suspicious. Ciel climbed down the ladder, "I've recovered. It was difficult." He announced, informing the pair he was now on the ground. The tight walker was absent.
Joker laughed and clapped his mismatched hands, "Ah was 'mazed! Ah' didn't think ye can walk 'he tightrope!" The ringleader grinned, with that similar impish the red-haired butler shared, "Ye got a hard time with it, didn't ye?! Quite a struggle."
"Jack of all trades, Master of None!" Dagger patted Ciel's head, glancing in Joker's direction, and laughed, "So this little cutie-pie passed, eh, my ol' bud?!" The boy twitched at the hand on his head, but didn't say a word. It appeared that Dagger was already over the bulls-eye fiasco. Perhaps he was impressed the whole time but simply didn't liked to be upstaged?
Ciel wouldn't be surprised, he never liked having Sebastian upping him at anything. Never did, even if it was for his own benefit.
Most importantly though, had he finally become an official member of the circus?
Joker crushed the hope, "Nope! There's one more thing ye gotta do! Ye're missing something veee-ry important!" He pointed a bone finger to the earl and laughed, "Smile!"
Ciel began to dread what was coming and it was only grew when his butler was stifling his laughter, "I...beg your pardon?"
As if there was a joke he didn't hear, Joker's laughter amplified, "Ye need to smile, Finny-boy!"
Sebastian's voice grew distanced, as if he was moving away from a ticking time bomb, yet Ciel could still clearly see the trembling of the butler's broad shoulders. Hot fire devoured his heart, face reddened with anger.
And he smiled so real and beautifully that it stunned Joker and Dagger.
Ciel was, right there at that spot he was standing on, accepted as an official member at last.
It was only an hour later when he regretted even smiling.
He and his butler were gifted appropriate costumes for the circus (not that Sebastian needed much changes-he still wore a black suit) and had makeup on their faces, and were called to introduce themselves to the rest of the Noah's Ark family.
Joker gave them a stage name of their own.
"This," the redhead rudely pointed to the well-dressed entertainer, "is Black!" Beast huffed at the newest rookie. Dagger gave a feeble smile.
How appropriate, Ciel idly thought at the given name. It was his turn.
"And 'his little feller," Joker patted his small shoulder, and the same tight walker seemed awed at him, her blue eyes wide and curious, "is Smile!"
What?!
Ciel tightened his hands, to keep his anger under control, Couldn't you stupid lots name me something else? Like Blue?! He raged internally, feeling very humiliated. The boy was positive that the devil man was finding this whole thing hilarious. How simply marvelous.
Joker laughed, "Treat them nicely, would you all?" Sebastian greeted them with a smile, while Ciel gave a hesitated bow.
"C'mon, Smile. Smile!"
How simply marvelous!
THELOVELESS
The attention on him was gone and he sighed in relief. Joker beckoned him and Sebastian to follow, "So! Ah'll be giving ye a tour~ye don't want to get lost in this maze, heh!" The ringleader chirped. He was right though, the coordination of the tents were confusing yet dirt pathways were directed. It was simply the matter of knowing the purpose behind those tents.
Some tents were striped, some small, some big, and some tents were just plain looking.
Joker pointed to smaller, plainer tents, "These were for 'second string members' to sleep in, the stagehands, the newcomers, and whatnot. Smile and Black will be sleeping in those for a time being." He pushed open a flap to show them what was inside; a bunk bed, a large crate as a table, and several chests to store things in. It wasn't too bad looking, but Ciel wouldn't want to live in it. At least it was relatively clean, if not small.
Sebastian doesn't look impressed by it.
"Usually, two to three persons for a tent." Joker absently added, releasing the flap cloth. He guided them across the pathway, gesturing to a busy, large tent, "And 'here's the dining tent-it stores our foods too." A random patron greeted Joker, which he eagerly returned. He also added, "Since ye'll are new here, ye gotta cook up meals too, so give it yer best shot!"
The ringleader led them away, but didn't bother going to the far end tent he was pointing to. It was very familiar to Sebastian. "That's a first aid tent!" He didn't bother explaining what the purpose of that place was, as it was obvious.
Joker stopped and turned to Ciel and Sebastian, "There beyond be the private tents-so no peeking!" He chuckled.
Ciel blinked, "Private tents?"
"Ah," Joker felt silly for leaving out the valuable information, "They be for main cast only-if ye'll make it big, ye can have your own tent too." There was a glint in the young eyes that the man didn't see.
"'n one more thing," the ringleader murmured, and pointed to an innocent-looking tent, larger than most, "'hat's Snake's tent-stay away from it. He got bunch'a scary looking, poisonous snakes in 'here, wandering about. Veee-ry shy. Both Snake and his slithery buddies." Joker glanced at the newbies with a warning, "One bite and ye 're a goner. So if ye know better, keep on yer toes."
Ciel didn't make much effort to memorized the areas and marking up the importance of each tent. Overall it was what he was expecting for a circus.
Joker's eyes turned on the youngest of the touring trio, "By the way..." he frowned, "What happened to yer right eye?"
The boy blanched, not expecting the question. He didn't realize he was covering the eye on a reflex as he stuttered for an excuse, "This...? There...was an accident." Dammit! If I only have a minute more time to prepare for this!
Joker didn't pressed farther, his green eyes saddened at the thought. He stroked Ciel's star-studded cheek, prompting a wide-eyed confusion, "Oh, but ye're so young...Unfortunate befallen even to the young." Suddenly he smiled radiantly, with clanking of his false hand, "Well, everyone here got 'heir issues, ye'll will get alonggggg just finnneee~!" He fondly patted the disguised earl's head.
On the side Sebastian looked at the man, with no telling expression. Ciel knew he had something in mind and reminded himself to ask what it was.
By every ticking second, Joker was beginning to look even less like Mr. Reynard.
"Say," Sebastian caught the humming ringleader's attention.
"Hm?" Joker looked back.
"Like us, did everyone here join the troupe while the circus was making its rounds?" The butler asked, curious, though with ulterior motives.
He smiled, "Mostly, yes. All of the first string members come from the same town 'hough."
Sebastian answered for him, "Childhood friends?"
"Bingo. Yes, that's correct." With a glance to Snake's tent, Joker then mentioned, "Wellllll, Snake's a rookie still. He's brilliant with snakes-and we were without a snake charmer then, so he became a member quick.
"If ye work hard and become a first-string, ye don't have to help to prep 'he stage, don't have to fight over meals, and you can get your own tent." Joker encouraged with yet another smile -the smiles looked so permanent on his face, "'hat is why...everyone should work hard to be a first string member!"
Sebastian, when Joker didn't pay any attention, suddenly looked suspicious.
When they were on their way to enter a training tent, as Joker called it, Ciel spotted a familiar girl looking lost. No red-headed man in a suit anywhere to be seen either. He paused, unsure if he should approach or not. Joker noticed, but he didn't stop. He just kept walking.
This gave him a clue that Joker knew she was there, but he chose to leave the little girl be.
By then Joker vanished within the training tent, Lady Higurashi had already disappeared among the cluttered tents. Ciel raced to catch up, not noticing the darkening look on his devil butler's face, nor the fact he stopped just before the entrance of the tent.
"Here we are! The training ground!" Joker flourished. The inside was very impressive, much bigger than it looked from the outside. There were many members, all second strings, practicing and training themselves on certain performances.
There were tightropes, nets, swings, weapons, giant balls, and the likes. Ciel was awed.
"Newcomers come and 'rain here in hope of making it big one day..." Joker grinned, "Ye should start with 'he basi- hey, where's Black?" He noticed the absence of the man. Ciel blanched and wondered why Sebastian took off, leaving his master behind.
Ciel hurriedly made a suggestion to avoid any suspicion, "Maybe he needed to use a privy?"
"But ye can just use the outhouse when ye was(*1) changing..." Joker was confused, "Maybe he felt he was being rude to use it then?"
"Ye-yeah, maybe." This better worth the time, Sebastian. He thought, irritated.
Joker shrugged, "Anyway...he'll be back in a few-Ah'll show ye some basic exercise...Ah don't have a whole lotta time though." He smiled, "Better make it quick!"
Ciel internally groaned.
THELOVELESS
"..." Kagome's eyes narrowed at a spot in a corner between two tents. Her shoulders weighted down in defeat, Where do you hide? I do not like this game. The line of her lips tipped down in an invisible frown. She shook her head and turned from the corner.
Three steps away...
The back of her head suddenly hurt. It almost bounced off the two wood pillars that held up the tents, like a rubber ball. She stopped herself from crying out loud, but a whimper managed to flee from her mouth.
The large gloved hands slithered and tightened around the thick flesh. On reflex Kagome snapped her hands onto the assaulter's hands, squeezing and scratching the wrists, in a feeble attempt to fend the limbs off from her body. She couldn't breathe, feeling very cold. She couldn't see the attacker, but her senses told her who it was.
The sound of her hammering heart brought desire from the man. Kagome gagged, needing air.
"You stupid little girl..." Familiar silken voice hissed in contempt, "if I wasn't so curious, I'd skin you alive."
The chokehold was loosened and the small exorcist took in a sharp inhale for air and gagging. Her dark eyes opened and narrowed into a glare, "You. Mr. Dog." Kagome spat, wheezing.
Stained cinnamon hued eyes burned brightly red, "I dislike dogs."
Defying his want to see her weak, she scoffed, "Yet you are a dog. A servant dog." The little girl kept it brief.
He growled, "Tell me you little brat, what did you tell the boy?"
Kagome almost smirked but didn't allowed herself to do so, "Why do you wish to know? It's just merely gossip between children, nothing that you adults care enough to know, Mr. D-" A warning squeeze, "Sebastian, or whatever you are being called now."
There were loud cries from inside of her coat pockets. It was Damien and Lilith, upon realizing the danger Kagome was in, "Hey, what the hell!" Sebastian was amused how even a little stuffed toy can looked so dangerous. Their sharp little teeth sunk in his skin of the wrist, attacking him to release the girl. The man didn't flinch and smacked them away.
Kagome tried to protest against his action, when they bounced off the side of the taut tent and rolled onto the ground. Dirt staining their bodies. "Damn you!" The black snarled one and lunged at the man on the ground, only to be stepped on. The black Cat struggled to remove his body from under the leather shoe, but couldn't. Lilith sneered but slithered behind the child, uncertain of what action to take. She chose to hiss at him, trying to frighten Sebastian away.
"H-hey, get off D-amie-n! Plea-se!" The girl jeered, now choking. Her plea was ignored.
He laughed, with murderous intention, "Where is your little pet?" Sebastian petted her long hair, admiring it, as if it were to be a collector's item. And by the little pet, he meant the Lady's Butler.
"Away." She didn't say anymore than that. Kagome eyed Damien worriedly, Lilith hid under her skirt, still hissing with teeth out.
"How horribly dangerous...You should be aware that there are predators like me, little dear." He hummed, a long black nail leaving behind a light pink trail on her pale skin. In scorn he lengthened his nails to the point that they tore through the gloves soundlessly. "How stupid of you."
As if to prove his point, he dug in his sole deeply into the screaming cat doll. The little creature didn't feel pain, but he was throwing insults.
Kagome didn't speak.
"I believe that your bones will make a nice addition to my collection. And ah, your soul. It looks tasty." The devil butler purred with joy. His teeth grew sharp and his eyes blazed with cruelness, "Time to visit the hell, my dear!"
Damien roared at him, as much as a little toy can, and batting his tiny paws against the leather.
Lilith's hiss amplified.
There was a sound of metal lurching and tearing through the air. Everything was still.
"You will not, demon." A voice hissed, as something tore through Sebastian's shoulder, shredding through skin and muscles like butter, "You will not have her bones, her hair, not a thing from her! She will not see Hell either. I will not let you."
Sebastian's face became dangerous and stood up from his crouching position, and glared at the person that so rudely interrupted his fun, "Must you ruin my fun, Reaper?" He ignored the weapon that haven't yet left his shoulder, but didn't turn to face his opponent.
Kagome rubbed the soreness on her neck, deeply inhaling air, as her eyes firmly on the black demon who was standing in front of her. The white Cat scrambled on her shoulder, cooing something nonsensical to comfort her. Her face turned slightly red.
The reflection of light rolled off the glasses expertly when it was pushed up the bridge of the nose, "Yes. And even I thought you would have more tact than to assault a child. I am not surprised that I was wrong." His face was flat, but his eyes burned with rage.
After a moment of thinking, Sebastian's lips twitched upward, "Ah, yes, your name happened to be William T. Spears. Your face is quite forgettable."
"Likewise to yours, Mr. Dog." The title was fitting for a bastard devil like him, William decided. Sebastian glared. "Shouldn't you get going? Your little master is sure to be wondering where you went, mutt."
Sebastian growled, but knew he was right. Longer he was away, more likely for his contract to be broken. He ripped away the retractable tool and walked past the reaper. The man released Damien and the tiny thing crawled to the girl. The demonized features faded away, and the cloth of his gloves repaired itself back together as well as his damaged shoulder, leaving no evidence.
William clicked his scythe back together.
Kagome stopped him, clutching the worn Damien to her chest. "You made a mistake." She declared, almost glaring at him.
"Oh?" Sebastian paused, curious.
"You just provoked my butler." The lady exorcist knew he didn't believe a word of what she said.
Sebastian left, without a word with a smile.
William waited until the manservant was out of sight and immediately went to the girl, "Are you alright?" He crouched before her and glimpsed when he saw the redness on her neck, "Your neck..."
Kagome blinked at his clownish suit, ignoring his concern, "You...looked ridiculous." Lilith almost giggled.
Williams blinked at her offhanded comment and looked down on his clothes. She was right. His jacket and slacks were meshed with rainbow of colors and stars and his tie was polka-dotted (red dots on yellow). Only articles of clothes that were relatively normal was his grey vest and his white shirt underneath. "So I do."
She twitched. "It does not look good on you." Kagome absently petted Damien, shooing dirt away from his silky coat.
The reaper looked apologetic, "I am sorry." He shook his head, realizing she was trying to get him off track, "Are you alright? Your neck..."
"I'm fine." It was the same reply he always get, the dull, monotone reply, and Williams knew her enough to expect that. Lilith's ears flattened, telling him that the lady was not fine. Nonetheless the cats didn't say a word.
He didn't press farther and instead asked, "Why didn't you summon Mr. Reynard?" He stared at the bruise growing, and fought his anger down.
Kagome shrugged, not answering his question, "He's on his way now." She glanced behind him, "He's not happy."
"I'm not surprised. You were strangled and would be dead if I haven't interfered." He told the truth and the reaper straightened up and tugged down his tie, "I see no reason to provoke him." Him being the dog of the young earl.
Shippou blazed in, the fire of fury could have burned down the circus if it was real, and glared at Mr. Spears. He then ignored him and looked over his precious little lady. William nearly flinched when he heard a snarl.
The Lady's Butler saw the reddening bruising on her neck. He seethed.
And she broke in trembles, now clearly frightened by her encounter with a devil of the higher caliber. Shippou, on his knees, gathered her into his arms. He was shushing her as his eyes was glowing in fury. He paid William no mind, too focus on caring for the girl.
It didn't take long for Kagome to calm down. She looked away in embarrassment, knowing her brief moment of being arrogant nearly cost her her own life. She didn't leave the man's arms, burrowing her face within his shoulder. Damien was tightened to her chest, he was too precious to her.
He stood up, with the dear bundle in his arms, "She'll be okay," Shippou assured the Reaper, knowing the man will not move until he know whether if the child exorcist will be okay or not. Lilith, now on his shoulder, seemed to have disagreed, but once again didn't say a word.
William pushed up his glasses with a heavy sigh, "Very well. I should get going." He didn't say more and spun on the soles of his shoes and walked away. The butler saw the tenseness in William's shoulders and shook his head.
Shame was rich on the girl's features.
THELOVELESS
Sebastian showed, though he had a well-hidden unhappy expression. Joker greeted him, "Well, hello there! Ah hope ye didn't have any more funny business in yer tummy, eh?" He laughed, assuming the black gentleman had left to use restroom.
"Quite." The butler hummed quietly and eyed the struggling boy. "What is he doing?" The young master stood some distance away, and he was attempting to, and failing, juggle balls. The man nearly grinned when balls fell on the boy's head, and frustrated noises fled from his lips.
Joker blinked, and laughed again, "Oh, Smile is trying to juggle. He's not good at that." He watched yet another attempt, "Told him practice makes perfect!" Joker seemed as if he was going to talk more, but he was interrupted.
"Joker! It's almost time!" It was Beast, the animal taming woman. When she got the confirmation from the ringleader, she glared at Sebastian. The woman turned and left the tent.
"Bummer-Ah got to get going. Give yer best shot, Blacky!" Joker took off, with a quick wave. He left Sebastian stranded, alone.
Just when he thought he could relax somewhat, he got hit with a ball. Right on the back of his head. It bounced off and fell to the dirt with a roll, "Where in the hell did you take off to?" Ciel hissed, his fingers curling around a ball, after he stormed to the devil man.
I see his aim had improved indefinitely. The butler thought idly. He turned to the boy and bowed, "I am sorry. I sensed something a-foul, and for your safety I went to check to make sure." Sebastian expertly gave a part lie.
Ciel knew and narrowed his eye at him, "You promised to tell the truth, you cretin." He accused and briefly considered to chucking another ball at him. With the audience watching, the master thought better of it.
The gentleman didn't say a word and Ciel's glare deepened. He gave up, tossing the balls aside, "So, they went with poisonous snakes instead of dogs." Arms across as the boy thought more of the current situation, "In order to gain access on the private property..." Ciel looked at his butler, "Being as you are immune to poison, you should check the first string tents for any presence of childr-"
Sebastian shook his head, "They are not here."
Ciel frowned.
The butler continued, "I sensed no children trapped here. There were none even since we first arrived here and none during the night."
With a sigh, the boy thought out loud, "Nonetheless we still have to find proof that the circus has no relation to the disappearance of the children- we cannot leave until we have covered every corner of this place." He stretched, following the example of a bystander farther off warm-ups.
"It is entirely possible that they are in the state where even I cannot sense them." Sebastian nearly grinned in jest.
"Don't say such ill-omened things. It was her wish." Ciel glared in warning, "She wants to see the safe return of the children."
"Yes sir." He didn't even apologize, as his cheeky smirk revealed all. He seemed to have forgotten something, "Oh and I have see-"
There was a voice calling them out, "What are ye all doing? Don't stand around!" How convenient for Dagger to show up on such bad timing, "That's just lazy~!"
Ciel murmured out an apology and Sebastian just smiled.
Dagger shrugged, "Well, ah am all done with my act-ah was up first so ah get to let off early~!"He grinned with victory, absently hiding his wounded hand behind his back, "Now then, how terrible of ye all to slack off!" He huffed, "but ah will let ya off since yer both new here~so how about ah get to help ya train!" The knife thrower grinned, "So what yer acts be?"
Oh good gracious no. Inside Ciel mourned. "I'm fine as long as it doesn't involve using my body." A memory of suffering on the rope earlier appeared in his head, he hastily added, "Like tightrope walking."
Dagger just blasted out in laughter, "Yer really were weak on that."
The boy was insulted, but he didn't comment.
"And Blacky? Any request?" Sebastian shook his head, the memory of his encounter with a little brat girl was largely forgotten from his mind.
And it all came rushing back. It started with a sharp intake of breath with his young master, his sole eye glued on a person that just entered the training ground. His eyes were lifted from the young knife thrower and followed the line of sight of where the boy master was staring.
Sebastian frowned.
It was William, hatefully glaring the devil down.
Dagger saw what they saw and grinned, "Oh, heyyy~That's Suit!" Dagger started to clatter on, "He used to be a civil servant. And he's so, so, so serious! Serious like ye wouldn't believe!" Never noticing the dark look on Sebastian's face and confusion on Ciel's, he continued on, "Suit's very good at what he does, even for an newcomer!"
Newcomer?! Ciel stared at the Reaper, almost frightened of his out-worldly presence, there must be something going on in this circus after all! It all added up fully-Lady Higurashi was here and so was the Reaper. It was much of a coincidence for them to be here just to visit the circus.
Still...
He didn't remember the deep hatred between his butler and the Reaper the last time they met. Mild resentment, yes, but nothing like this. It felt like a war-zone. That was the best one-worded description Ciel could think of.
"You...bloody devil!" William spat out, gaining everyone's attention, and he knocked his metal tool against a nearby wooden pillar. The very rod he always carried with him. With a press of a button, the business end loomed too close to Sebastian's face, "Are you truly intending to devour her soul?!"
"Huh?" came a collective reply from the audience, including Dagger and Ciel.
Is his identity going to be revealed? Ciel panicked.
Dagger murmured aloud, "Devil? Soul?" The audience gave an assortment sounds of confusion.
Wait...Her? Ciel wondered, He means Lady Higurashi? Who is her? He can only think the little girl, but not anyone else. William doesn't seem to care or acknowledge of those who lived in the circus. Why, he doesn't seem like that sort who would even bother caring for a woman like Beast. The Reaper was seriously professional-Lady Higurashi was clearly someone in that professional arena (similar jobs as one can say), obviously someone to care about and respect.
But I could be wrong. If I was right though, why would Sebastian be interested into eating her soul? Ciel frowned. He immediately shook his head, remembering there was a scene taking place.
Sebastian nearly smiled, "Why would I be interested into something so brittle?" To everyone else he seemed to be joking.
William's hatred of the man grew to go beyond even the sky, "You devils love to break everything! Stealing souls not for your taking and breaking them!" He ranted on, "Because of you lots, it's quite near impossible for us reapers to properly do our jobs!" William hissed.
"Erm...Devils? Soul? Grim reapers?" Dagger wasn't sure what to take of this.
Crap! Ciel cursed everything. Sebastian was not helping, as he obviously was poking the fire.
Dagger break out in laughter and the people around followed, "Hahah! Suit, you jokester! With you being so serious I couldn't tell if you are joking at all! Good one, Suit!" He smacked the serious reaper's shoulder. William scowled.
Ciel was relieved.
The knife thrower explained, "He 'as always going on and on about weird jokes!" He gestured, with a thumb pointed to the man, "Always on ghosts, reaping, and all those thingamabobs from day one!" Dagger laughed, "What a jokester!"
William nearly sneered, but settled on pushing up his glasses, "I am not one for jokes." And this is coming from you, the one who were harmed by a spirit? He doesn't have to look at the injured hand to know Dagger was denying the notion of the existence of the beyond.
People scattered, laughing at the man. Dagger smiled, "How about ah introduce ya'll? The big one is Black," he pointed to Sebastian, "and the small one is Smile." then to Ciel, who narrowed his eye at him for being called small. "And this is Suit!"
The Reaper snorted, "I will take my leave. I do not want to spend any more time with that beast." He turned and walked off, his shoulders very tense.
"Take my leave?! Beast? Hey, ye'll supposed to get along and work together! Heyyyyy!" Dagger protested, taking off after William.
Did something happened that I am not aware of? Why would Mr. Spears seemed so hostile toward Sebastian now? Ciel frowned, Last meeting he wasn't as aggressive. He glanced up to Sebastian whose face was neutral. Seeing his expression like so gave him a clue, so something did happened. The question is, should I be bother to care for this? It's between the devils and the reapers.
"He seemed to be here on his accord, snooping." Sebastian stated flatly, his eyes never leaving the back of the reaper, "How unusual."
Ciel sighed, "Yes, I got that. With both the grim reaper and the lady exorcist here, something must be happening within the circus. With both of them being here, it's too much of a coincidence to ignore."
Sebastian gave a tight smile, "I see that you already drew your own conclusion."
"Of course." He replied back, almost annoyed with the comment his butler gave. Sebastian always gave him a sense of being a stupid individual, when Ciel was most certainly not. It was something Ciel simply had to put up with, considering Sebastian was here because of him. At very least Sebastian was his tool, his weapon. Nothing more. And the butler knew it.
So Ciel found comfort in that fact.
"Still, he looked like he was worth investigating." The boy decided he will deal with the lady exorcist on his own. He doubt the girl will take well to being probed by the bastard nor will the Lady's Butler will allow the devil to. Ciel just had that odd feeling it wouldn't be a good idea.
Sebastian nodded, not excited, but it was a well-disguised order. He hurried after the reaper, who was quite near the exit. Ciel was about to follow, but he was already held up, "Heyyyy~Ye gotta train with me! Ye don't want to lose out to Black!" Remembering the performance with Beast in the first aid tent, Dagger dragged the boy with him, "Come on-ah wanna see how much ye have improved with yer knife throwing!"
There was an invisible fire erupting between William and Sebastian. When William was about bolt from the presence of the butler, Sebastian's hand already snapped on a wrist. The devil was damn near breaking the reaper's bones, "Let us step outside, shall we?" Sebastian grinned, though hatred already filtered through.
William growled but agreed.
"Well, will ye look at that!" Dagger laughed, watching them in the distance, "They're friends now!" He prompted Ciel to quietly question his naivety. It was very clear that they were not friends, whatsoever.
The atmosphere was heavy, making the whole thing difficult to say a word. Outside there wasn't anybody around, but them. Only background noises were the audience laughing and applauding at a performance elsewhere. The sky was stained orange and purple, and was dotted with waking stars.
It was a scene almost reminded of a horrible cowboy western movie William had saw once, with an coworker(*2). They were quite having a stand-off, after all. All it needed was a rolling tumbleweed.
"So what brings a busy grim reaper like you to this place?" Sebastian sucked in his pride and asked, giving William the victory. In order to accomplished his master's wish, it was far better to please the reaper's ego to get the man to talk.
William quietly complained of an absent coworker and the reaping division constantly being understaffed, "-must go out in the field to receive souls simply because the receiving division was missing one employee..." He pushed up his glasses again, as Sebastian waited for him to finish complaining to himself, "What a travesty."
"Only fortunate thing about this is..." He kept on muttering, glaring at the dull-faced butler, "-ashi is safe from harm..."
"Ahem," Sebastian coughed, "Are you quite done?"
William glared and nodded mutely.
"What bring you here?" He repeated himself.
The reaper pushed up his glasses, "I am here cleaning up after that scum dispatch member who is currently suspended." He scowled, "I didn't think I'd be made to do so just because that thing and I were coworkers...and without extra pay at that." Better to avoid mentioning the girl-that seemed to spark his temper.
Sebastian chuckled, "Since the reaper is taking so much trouble to come here just to investigate...so there are special circumstances after all!" He said it so frankly that it would be hard to change the devil's mind.
"You do know that I cannot give out information pertaining souls, especially to a fiend like you." William muttered, fixing his glasses again, as his metal tool clanged with warnings, "That would be like giving the rabbit to the wolf."
Sebastian laughed, "I am not interested in such second-rated souls!"
The reaper snorted, "You talk big for a starving dog," The butler narrowed his eyes at William for being called a dog, "when you are mad with hunger."
The man grinned, "It's much more delicious when you are hungry, and much delicious when you have that certain kind of soul awaiting for you." He laughed, "I am tired of indiscriminately devouring souls."
William seemed warily of his announcement, of which Sebastian was quick to put the rest to, "You have nothing to worry about, I have a collar on my neck. I cannot do without my master's order." He hummed, showing the symbol on his left hand to the gentleman.
The reaper narrowed his eyes at him despite his assurance, "Very well. You do know how we reapers operate, do you not? If you have forgotten, I will explain." The butler glared for being indirectly called stupid, William continued on, "We the reapers are tasked to make judgment when a soul are scheduled to be received, according to the list. We use our death scythe to check a person's memories, their cinematic records, one by one, and judge whether if they deserve to die or not."
His weapon clanked again, threateningly, "And since you fiends always failed to understand our efforts, you went ahead and snack on the souls like a crow on a corpse."
Sebastian laughed at the senior reaper's interpretation of his kind.
"Let me be frank-there will be a great number of souls in this region in upcoming days to be judged and collected." William was quick to warn, "I'd appreciate if you do not interfere."
"Ooooh, haha," The butler laughed, "Great number of souls, hm? Would you like me to assi-?" Few strands of hair fell and his hat spun on the business end of the reaper's weapon, it was a dire warning that the devil does not interfere.
"I refused to work overtime without pay. I will hunt you down, if you chose to interfere!" William sneered, as he snapped back his weapon.
With a snap of his hand, Sebastian got back his hat that was thrown from the metal tool, "I do not wish to work with the likes of you." He smiled darkly.
William glared, "And I will warn you-stay away from Lady Higurashi." He growled, "What you did earlier today, was very dire."
Sebastian smiled at him, "Dire? What can that little brat do to me? Exorcize me from this plane?" He laughed as if that was a horrible joke.
He pushed up his glasses, with a roll of threateningly light reflecting off, "You do not understand." William shook his head, "Are you really that arrogant to fail to see what her butler truly was?"
Sebastian frowned, it was that same warning from the girl child, "That man was just a mere spirit with a physical body. I could devour him whole if I wished to."
He shook his head, "If you really believe that then you are in for a rude awaking." William chuckled, "Although...I wouldn't mind seeing you being given a lesson!"
The fiend was about to reply when he was interrupted, "Hey, the noisy knife thrower is looking for you two." It was Ciel, impatiently waiting for them. His arms were crossed and he was tapping his shoe, "Are you two quite done?" He approached the older men.
With a critical glance, William sighed, "I do not understand you fiends- he's not that high quality." He was about to add more but thought better of it.
Ciel scowled, knowing that the reaper was insulting him, "You, Specs. You need to stop sprouting about the devil nonsense! You're quite lucky that they all thought you were joking." He warned. With a dangerous smile, the boy added, "The fact that you cannot even blend in only made you lower than even most vulgar reapers."
William twitched at the insult.
"Fine. I will be staying out of your way, as long you both stay out of mine." The reaper clanked his weapon against the ground.
Sebastian smiled, "Agreed."
Ciel laughed, "It's settled then. We will not interfere with each other at all."
They glared.
"Right then." The reaper nodded, and to Ciel, "And Smile, I will be counting on you to take very good control of your mutt." he stated.
The master snorted, "As if I will listen to Specs who cannot investigate properly!"
"I am not Specs. I am Suit."
He left.
Ciel gestured Sebastian to follow.
THELOVELESS
"...They ran again." Kagome frowned. She was staring at the chaotic muddle. There was a lopsided wagon that produced cotton candy, and the ground was colored blue and pink, from the favored sugar.
Some feet away was a stuttering mess of a person. He was white and frightened and had wounds on his hands. Kagome frowned, again, at him, "They are getting worse." She said to herself.
"So what's now?" Damien was blunt. He curled around her neck, to concealed her large ugly bruise. He pitied the traumatized man.
Kagome shook her head, "I don't know." She looked up to the black sky, "They didn't mean to hurt people, but when fear came in, they can't tell apart between people from their tormentors." She sighed, making Lilith wilt in her arms.
Damien and Lilith looked at each other and gave a frown.
"Shippou left to fetch the doctor." She hummed, "Maybe he'll find something. He got a good nose."
THELOVELESS
Joker grinned largely, waving around a paper, "Hello all! It's time for room assignment for the rookiiieesss~!" People gathered around, murmuring along to others. He scanned around the small number of people and spotted the wilted Ciel on a crate.
"Smile, what's wrong? You looked down!" Joker laughed, "Smile, smile!"
Ciel groaned, exhausted from all the trainings he was made to do, This is harder than I thought...!
The ringleader laughed, "Well, the verdicts are as followed..." He pointed to Ciel with bony hand, "Smile will be in tent eight!" Joker gestured to a young boy, with brown hair that covered his left eye and quantity of freckles, "He'll be yer roommate!"
"Hello!" The boy waved to Ciel, who frowned at him.
This will be difficult, I'm sharing a room with a stranger...
"And Black will be in tent nine!" Ciel suddenly protested upon hearing this.
"Wait, what? Can't Seb-Black and I share the tent together?" The master stammered, baffled on what to do. Without him I can't wander freely!
Joker blinked before laughing. Dagger grinned, "Yer gotta be independent, Smile!" They laughed, "How sweet of Smile on Black!"
The ringleader, with a grin, continued on, not noticing Ciel's wilted state, "And Black's roommate will be Suit!" William, as if by magic, appeared, his face without expression.
There was silence, before the sound of mountainous hatred came between William and Sebastian. Ciel and the freckled boy shuddered at the heavy atmosphere, despite Joker and Dagger's laughter.
"Smile needed to make friends! Suit and Black are already friends!" Joker grinned.
Them? Friends? How naive are they?! Ciel was baffled at the idiocy of it all.
The freckled boy rubbed his head, "Um, well, nice to meet you Smile!" He gave a hand and a smile.
How brilliant. If there is a merciful god, please smite me now. Ciel thought idly, "Erm, yeah, nice to meet you as well." He accepted his hand.
"Pleased to share a tent with you, Suit." Sebastian clenched his teeth as he bowed to the reaper.
William glared, "Likewise." He pushed up his glasses.
"Well, nighty night, ya'll!" Joker laughed, waving at them to dismiss them as he headed for his own tent.
Ciel watched the interaction between the devil and the reaper and thought, If we survive through the night, that'll be a miracle!
THELOVELESS
It was a day later and it was much brighter out. It was a nice day, if not chilly.
I hate playing hide and seek with spirits. Kagome stared at a spot between Snake's tent (the only one she was told to stay away from due to the danger within) and another, One of them is in that tent.
Shippou took off, after being given a command from the girl.
While Kagome understood the danger of being left alone (after what happened the last time), she was forced to make a promise to him she will call for him no matter what. And it was a promise she quite cannot literally break.
Kagome rubbed her hand and grumbled inside of her mind. She wasn't sure of what to do-usually treacherous animals of all kinds left her alone due to Shippou's presence, but she quite wasn't sure with the snakes.
They weren't the kind that listened.
"Do you need something? asks Wordsworth." Kagome nearly 'epped' at the sudden appearance of a voice behind her, her skin changed to the palest shade of pinkness. She turned and saw a scaly man with pale golden hair and green eyes. There were two snakes wrapped around his neck.
The girl scuffled her boots in the dirt, complementing of what to say to a stranger.
"We won't bite, you're too cute, says Emily." The man assured.
"..." Cute? Kagome internally shook her head and took in a breath, shaky of strangers, "There is...a spirit in that tent." She chewed her lips, "And it is a dangerous tent." She added. The shade of her skin turned darker.
"Spirits? asks Wordsworth." The man seemed confused, "Oh. You're the Lady Exorcist Joker hired, says Emily." He murmured, "If you need to go in, we will ask our friends to leave you alone, says Wordsworth. You really are cute to hurt, says Emily." The man nodded and went in the tent himself.
Kagome nearly protested his action, realizing the danger of both spirits and the snakes.
Inside was a voice murmuring before a startled cry. The scaly man flew out of the tent, whiter than he used to be, "What was that? says Wordsworth!" He panted.
"Is it a spirit?" The girl spoke before she realized she had allowed words to flee her lips.
The man nodded, shakily, "A small kid-looked like she was cut in pieces...says Emily."
"Oh, no..." Quietly, Lilith frowned from inside of a pocket.
Kagome chewed her lips, the spirit was still inside, "Can I go inside?"
He nodded, "We asked them not to bite you, says Wordsworth."
"Thank you." She hurriedly went in, bracing herself of surprises that lurked inside.
Kagome shuddered at the sight of snakes gliding among each other inside of a giant cage, but saw that they did nothing at the sight of her. They were staring and hissing at something else.
The girl looked and nearly choked.
It was the first time she even saw the spirits in this vicinity, having so far only sensing them instead. The spirit was a small child, barely smaller than Rina. Why, it almost even looked like her Rina! Kagome was white at the thought of Rin being one of them.
She barely knew the girl, but it was odd how she became so fond of her in such a short time. Rina.
Kagome stared at the ghost, and shuddered at the sight.
It wasn't as gruesome as she usually see with the dead, but when it came to the young children, it was still a hard sight to behold.
The ghost still had her eyes and her tongue, so she was staring at the lady exorcist. Her skin looked very dry and was white, as if she had been drained of her blood, and her dark-auburn hair limped with no life. Her lips was badly chapped.
She looked relatively clean from blood, which was an unusual sight for Kagome. Often the murdered spirits tended to be such a bloody mess. The child spirit also had a simple white garb, the hospital kind. Kagome narrowed her eyes at a series of number on the girl's chest, giving yet another clue.
"..."
The spirit's body was oddly shaped and it took the exorcist a brief second to realize that the child was disemboweled. The clothes were tightened around the form, as if it was wet (and it definitely did look wet), and showed the missing stomach and also the missing ribs.
The child spirit was also missing body parts, from seeing her having no arms. Kagome noticed that her legs were not yet removed-the child must have died when she still had her legs. That was only conclusion she can think of.
"Excuse me, would you like me to help you to pass on to the otherworld?" The Lady Exorcist questioned calmly and quietly, making herself to be not at all threatening.
The spirit stared at her, blankly, "..."
The dreaded realization fell as if it was pouring crusade of rain, She was broken! Somebody had broken her soul! Kagome cursed, recognizing the empty look inside of the spirit's black eyes.
"..." The girl opened her mouth in a silent laughter and she fled backward, the body fading away.
Kagome frowned and chewed her lips, "Brilliant. How brilliant. This is turning out harder than I had hoped."
"Lady Kagome...?" Lilith's ears flattened, confused. Damien, still curled around the neck, brushed his head against the skin underneath her chin, to comfort her.
"You can't communicate with a broken spirit." She mumbled, "They are just like those mute, deaf, blind, and dumb. You can't communicate with them."
The white Cat looked frustrated, "Oooh, what will you do now?"
"What I don't want to do. I have to interfere with the Phantomhive Dog's business." Kagome frowned, "They are now searching for a murderer and they didn't know they were even looking for one."
With a turn of her skirt, she left the tent. The snakes within the cage hissed quietly, almost as if uncertain.
"You, sir." Kagome called out the waiting scaly man, "Thank you." She curtsied before him. Her heart doesn't seem to want to slow down.
The man suddenly looked flustered, "Not a problem, says Emily."
The lady pondered for a moment, before prompting a question, "What is your name, if I may be so kind to ask?"
"They called him Snake, says Wordsworth." Snake blushed.
Kagome curtsied again, "Thank you very much, Mister Snake. I should be going now." She fled before the man can say a word.
Behind some tents Kagome shuddered, If I have to speak with more strangers...! Breathe! Damien patted her, to assure her that she was okay. Just breathe...In and out, in and out...
Her heart rate slowed and with a sigh, she thought on what to do next. Shippou will know, but... Kagome shook her head, No, don't be silly. I need him.
She remained at that same spot for a long while, her brain going for miles per minutes.
"Hey, my lady?" Lilith called out, snapping the lady out of her long train of thought, just as the sky was darkening.
Kagome looked down on her coat to see Lilith, confused. The white Cat pointed to something ahead from her spot, "Is that Earl Phantomhive?" Down the dirt path, Ciel raced away from a group and vanished from them beyond. Kagome already saw where he went.
"Is he...wet?" Damien wondered.
The little lady frowned and moved herself from her hidden spot to follow. She stopped momentarily, to grab a fleece blanket from a string above. Kagome didn't ask for permission, since there were no one watching the clothes drying on the string.
She continued on and eventually spotted Ciel shriveling behind a tent, looking very unhappy and miserable. Damien was correct, he was very much soaked.
"...?" Ciel felt the fabric laying on his shoulders from his position on the dirt, "Sebastian!" He hissed, not paying attention.
Kagome flinched from that man's name being mentioned and absently tugged her high collar up under her chin to hide the bruise. She recovered quickly, "I am not him."
He blinked and looked up, "Oh. I'm sorry." Ciel narrowed his eye and turned away his face in shame of being without dignity, "I'll take my leave now."
"It's...alright." She perched next to him, "If you are able to answer my questions...I will answer yours if you can help me."
"...!" Ciel's eye widened and he turned to her.
Kagome looked down, "I know you have questions for me. My butler doesn't want me to get involved with you, but quite frankly, I think that it is already too late for that." She scratched Damien's ears, quiet.
"He won't be happy...Why would it be too late?" Ciel was confused.
Kagome paused for a moment to think for the answer, "Because you already mingled with death."
Death? ...Oh, reapers. She must have meant them. "Reapers?"
She nodded.
I supposed that would have make sense-she is the exorcist after all. The dealer of the spirits and demons alike and the reapers that received the spirits from her. Ciel sighed, I didn't think she will approach me at all. I thought I would be the one that did so. He shivered, Damn is it cold!
Kagome saw and added, "I will make it quick. I don't want you to get sick."
When did she become so talkative? He nodded, "That would be the best...What do you want to ask of me?"
"What happened to you?" She prompted so suddenly that Ciel was unsure of what she meant. She looked up to the darkening sky, as she waited for her answer.
She doesn't mean...!
THELOVELESS
Sebastian was on his way to check on his young master. He even had the clean warm sheets for the master with, after the scene between his master and the idiot roommate ended badly. Ciel chose to go farther than he expected, so on his own slow pace, it will take the butler several minutes to arrive. It will leave the boy some time to think on his next plan.
His senses hummed, before they were dulled. He narrowed his eyes, slowing his pace.
...Somehow his demonic senses were tampered. Sebastian realized and stopped with a frown.
The path he took were voided of life. There was nothing to be seen that could interfere with his power. There were no breathing or beating hearts to be heard within miles. Wait, Sebastian thought, that cannot be right. Just few feet back he passed a laughing group. How was that they disappeared so quickly? Humans were noisy, no matter how quiet they tried to be, nor are they fast.
Any noise he can hear sounded hollow, muted, rather, as if he was inside of a room with thick walls.
Suddenly there were burning sensation, his oppressed senses screamed to run. Sebastian dropped the sheets. He turned out of reflex, narrowly avoiding a ball of flame that lunged after him.
How did-?! The man was forced to leap away from the fire that burst from the dirt. The flame almost seemed as if it had grown from the dirt, almost as if it was a budding flower. The blankets were burnt away, into black ashes.
His stained cinnamon eyes spotted a familiar gentleman, sitting on nothingness, an invisible chair. The eyes glowed brightly green, in contempt, as he watched Sebastian deftly dodging the balls of fire that grew from nowhere. The red-haired gentleman had a fisted hand under his chin, another under an elbow. One of his long legs were over the other, the said leg swung as if with a beat that only the man can hear.
The devil felt a thigh severely burned, yet there was nothing show to be burning. Sebastian realized that the flaming orbs were meant to go in. "...!"
The orbs grew numerous, and harder it was to dodge them.
Sebastian hissed out in surprise when his shoulder (the very same one William earlier injured) was burned. He watched the orb to sink in, like a rock in water, and felt nothing at first, before the burning erupted.
It was harder and harder to move, as his thigh and his shoulder were beginning to feel like heavy stones.
The orbs changed colors, red to blue, and the sitting man smiled, "Do you know what they said about assumption?"
Sebastian was slammed against the dirt, by a blue orb. Now, it was physical.
Every orb buzzed with fury and were disorganized, zipping through the air. The orbs left behind a pale trail of color, as they all formed into a blinding blue cloud. It almost reminded the fiend of the horde of angry bees.
Sebastian growled, "What of it?" He flipped off his back, to avoid an oncoming ball of fire. The dark-haired butler found himself knocked down again, when an orb slammed into his stomach, forcing the air out of his body.
The Lady's Butler 'tsked' and snapped his fingers. Instantly, the cloud of orbs vanished, as Sebastian was fatigued from dealing with them.
"To assume is to make an ass out of you and me, good sir." Shippou laughed, folding his hands, still sitting on his invisible chair, "Honestly, I had the impression you were smarter than to assume, to leave me and my lady be." He sighed.
The dark-haired butler sat up, with obvious efforts, "..."
Shippou laughed, "My, you are such an idiot." He stopped laughing, his lips tipped into a very deep frown and his eyes dark with resentment, "Because of your actions, I will forever now hold a grudge against you."
The fire was still ever-spreading throughout his body, burning him from inside out. Sebastian thought with a wince, as he struggled to get up on his feet,
What in the hell are you?
(*1) Not a grammar error. Some people tended to talk like this, fyi. Expect more like this in my story from now on.
(*2) Remember that the Reapers had modern technology? I am also assuming there are movies in their home realm. And yes, it's probably Grell or Ronald that watched that Western movie.
Sorry there is not much exorcism going on. The story took an mind of its' own. At least there are confrontation and drama to make up for it?
A/N: Oh, boy, sorry I took so long. Again, sorry. :c I made it extra long just for you all and right on the Valentine's Day!
Originally, this was meant to be ended at 13 chapters, but well, now I am feeling like this might go beyond 30 chapters. Ugh...Shoot me in the face please. But I am doing my best. This will certainly take me some years to finish I believe. But, I have no regret!
*As always, please give me constructive criticism on how to better this story!*
Thanks for all of your kind reviews (and follows)! I am so sorry that I am unable to get back to you all, especially with anon folks. You all are so sweet and I hope I can keep you all as my readers! Again, thanks so much.
If you want me to contact you, please let me know in the review, or just say hi in PMs if you're shy! I won't bite.
Take care! I will try my best to give you all a quicker update next time!
Until then!
(9.28.13, tweaked.)